Horsepower indicator



April 11, 1944. R. w. JONES HORSEPOWER INDICATORl Filed April 1, 1941 lll/lll/IIIA W3 /Nl/E/V TOR B4 VMo/va l/IYoA/E s @y L A T RNE YS VPatented Apr. 11, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the et or March a, isss, aa

amended April 30, 192s; 310 o. G. '151) 2 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government i'or governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to means for directly indicating the horsepower output of internal combustion engines under operating conditions such as when employed for the propulsion of aircraft.

It has heretofore been customary to determine the horsepower output of aircraft engines solely by the factors of engine intake manifold pressure and engine speed and since the manifold pressure does not vary as a linear function of horsepower output the resulting horsepower indications derived therefrom are subject to considerable errors. There have been developed in recent years however several types of uid pressure dynaxnometers for use in conjunction with geared engines in which the engine torque is very accurately measured and indicated by measuring the reaction torque exerted on the normally stationary element of a planetary reduction gear train. By multiplying the indicated value of engine torque by the instant value of engine speed, the instant value of horsepower is obtained. The above procedure requires a calculation on the part of the pilot and if a simple indicator were provided to perform this function and directly indicate the engine horsepower on a single dial the torque indicator could be incorporated in engines as manufactured and the single horsepower indicator employed to replace the numerous instruments now employed to indicate the various engine factors related thereto. The present invention provides a very simple device for accomplishing this result, the theory of operation of which will now be explained:

'An engine torque indicator of the type above noted is described in detail in the Society of Automotive Engineers Journal, vol. 42, No. 2, February 1938, and vol. 44, No. 6, June 1939. One indicator preferred for use as a part of the structure of the present invention provides a rotatable mounting for the normally stationary sun gear of a planetary reduction gear train, the reaction torque exerted on the gear being opposed by a torque arm connected to the sun gear and in turn connected to oppositely acting pistons in a pair of hydraulic cylinders. Oil under pressure is admitted to the cylinders through an automatically controlled valve so that the oil pressure exerted on the pistons is just sufficient to counteract the torque exerted on the torque arm and the value of this pressure Pq is a direct measure of the engine torque when multiplied by a constant K1 depending on the particular engine gear reduction.. the length of the torque arm and the area of the pistons in the hydraulic cylinders.

We may express the horsepower output of any engine by the well-known formula 2f T R. P. M. (l) 33,000

Where T=engine torque'in foot pounds.

As noted above the engine torque indicated by the torque indicator may be expressed by the formula.

Since the product of KXPq will be a fraction less than unity, the multiplication of this fraction and the instantvalue of engine speed may lbe affected in a very simple manner by means of a variable speed transmission inserted in the drive of an engine driven tachometer, so that the change in the driving ratio of the tachometer and hence the driving speed thereof will be equal or directly proportional to the product of the factors K and Pq. The speed then indicated by( the pointer of the speed measuring means will then directly indicate the value of engine horsepower output and the tachometer dial may be graduated in terms of engine horsepower instead of engine revolutions per minute.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of an indicator operative to indicate on a single dial the horsepower output of an Aassociated prime mover.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an instrument for directly indicating the horsepower output of an associated engine, comprising a tachometer, a driving means for said tachometer including a variable speed transmission and drivingly connected to the associated prime mover, and means responsive to the variation in prime mover torque for adjusting the variable speed transmission to cause the tachometer indication to indicate the prime mover power output in terms of horsepower.

Another object ot the invention is the provision in combination with an engine torque measuring means. of a tachometerdriven by and normally@ indicating the engine speed and means actuated by said torque indicating means for varying the indication of said tachometer to indicate the instant value of engine horsepower output.

Other objects of the invention not specifically enumerated above will appear by reference to the detailed description in the specification and to the appended drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the components of a horsepower indicator in accordance with the invention, some parts being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation sectional view of the structure of a known type of engine torque measuring device illustrated in Fig. 1, and

Fig, 3 is a view partly in section illustrating the novel variable speed drive and control therefor employed in the indicator of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figure 1, the reference numeral Ia generally indicates an aircraft engine of conventional character having a crankshaft I drivingly connected to the orbit gear 2 oi' a planetary type reduction gear. The orbit gear has meshing therewith a plurality of planet pinions 3, each rotatable on journal pins 4, mounted on the rotatable carrier 5, which is secured to and formed integral with the propeller shaft 6, the latter being suitably journalled at its inner end in a bearing formed in the hollow central portion of the crank shaft and journalled at its outer end in a bearing carried by the gear housing. The planet gears 3 are adapted to mesh with the teeth of a sun gear 'I rotatably journalled on the propeller shaft 6, the sleeve portion of the sun gear having a torque arm 8 secured to the outer end thereof, and the torque arm extending radially on either side of the propeller shaft 8. As seen in Fig. 2 the torque arm 8 is pivotaily connected by means of connecting rods 9 to pistons I respectively reciprocably mounted in fluid pressure cylinders Il formed as integral parts of the reduction gear housing. The pistons I0 are located at equal radial distances on opposite sides of the axis oi the propeller shaft and, by means of fluid pressure admitted to the respective chambers I2 of the cylinders II, counteract and resist rotation of the torque arm and sun gear. Fluid pressure generated by an engine driven oil pump (not shown) is admitted by means of a conduit I3 to a passage I6 formed in the head of the upper cylinder I I, and the flow of high pressure oil :from the passage I6 to the chamber I2 of the upper cylinder is controlled by means of a valve I4, housed within an extension of the head of the upper cylinder Il, and directly connected to thel associated piston I0 therein. Each of the chambers l 2 are inter-connected by means of a conduit I'I which' communicates with a conduit 50 adapted to be connected to a pressure indicating or responsive means to indicate or measure the engine torque. Bleed ports (not shown) are associated with each of the chambers I2 to allow a continuous small discharge of oil therefrom, which oil is returned to the engine oiling system through the reduction gear housing. If the engine torque should change, for example, to increase, the valve I4 will open the passage I6 to allow a greater flow of oil to the chamber I2,

building up the pressure therein, which pressure is communicated to the chamber I2 of the lower cylinder II by means of the conduit II, and the increase of pressure in the cylinders Il acting on the respective pistons I0, counteracts the increase of torque exerted on the torque arm 8 from the sun gear 'I of Fig. 1. If the engine torque should decrease, the valve I 4 will move axially toward the right to restrict the ow of oil from the passage I8 to the chamber I2 of the upper cylinder II and because of the continuous drain therefrom, will reduce the pressure in the cylinder chambers I2 until a new equilibrium pressure is attained just balancing the existing reaction torque exerted by the reduction gear on the torque arm 8. For every value of enginetorque there will exist a corresponding pressure in the chambers I 2 of the respective cylinders I I of an amount just necessary to balance the torque exerted on the torque arm 8, and hence the pressure existing within the connecting conduit Il is a definite measure of the torque developed by the engine at any time, and the engine torque in foot-pounds may be readily 'determined by multiplying the pressure within the conduit I1 by a constant which depends, of courseon the area of one of the pistons I0, the length of the torque arm 8 between the pivotable points of pivotal connection to the connecting rods 9, and the reduction gear ratio ofthe planetary gear Fig. 1. Thus a pressure responsive element or gauge connected to the conduit I'I may be so designed and constructed that it will directly indicate the engine torque in foot-pounds. The structure so far described forms a well-known torque indicator such as illustrated and described in the previously' mentioned publication andthe specific construction of which forms no part of the present invention.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the reference numeral 20 generally indicates a variable speed transmission inserted between a tachometer driving shaft I9 associated with the engine Ia andthe tachometer generator of an electric impulse transmitter unit generally indicated by the reference numeral 3l. The tachometer generator of the transmitter 84 is connected by means of conductor 38 to an electrical indicator unit 4I) mounted in the engine cockpit and having a calibrated dial 4I cooperating with pointers 42 and I3 to indicate engine horsepower in units of hundreds and thousands. Speed` setting of the variable speed transmission 2u is adapted to be controlled in accordance with the existing pressure in the conduit 50 connected to the torque measuring means, previously described, so that the speed of the tachometer generator is so modiiied that the tachometer indicating pointers 42 and 43 directly indicate the value of engine horsepower with relation to the scale 4I instead of indicating the value of engine revolutions as in normal tachometers. The electric impulse transmitter 34 and indicator unit 40 together form a well-known electric tachometer or speed measuring means. The novel means for varying the speed setting of the variable speed transmission 20 in accordance with the measured value of engine torque will now be de;- scribed.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the variable speed change mechanism generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 is seen to comprise a. metal housing 2| open at one end thereof and adapted to be closed by means o! a cover plate 22 secured to the housing by screws or other fastening means (not shown). The cover plate 22 is provided with an enlarged centrally disposed annular boss 23 which serves to journal a power-receiving member such as a driving shalt 24 by means `of suitable ball bearings mounted therein. 'Ihe driving shalt 24 is adapted to be connected at its outer end to the engine driven tachometer driving shaft I9 of Fig. 1 and at its inner end carries a disc 25 located within the housing 2i and the disc being provided with a facing 25 made oi a material having ahigh coeilicient of friction. Rotation of the disc 25 is frictionally disc 25. The roller 30 isconcentrically mount-ed on a power take-olf shaft 32 which is journalled by a supporting bracket 3i and has its lower end projecting through the lower wall of the housing 2l. The shaft 32 is adapted to drive the permanent magnet rotor 33 of the tachometer generator, the generator being provided with two-phase or three-phase windings mounted on the laminated stator 35, the windings being electrically connected to a plug 36 which serves as a connector for the electrical conductors 38 of Fig. l. The generator is of a well-known type generally -employed when driven by an engine to generate currents having a. frequency directly proportional to the rotational velocity of the engine crank shaft and which currents are employed to actuate an electrical indicator unit to remotely indicate the engines speed, such as the indicator unit 4l) of Fig. 1. The carrier 28 is adapted to be shifted in a plane parallel to the plane of the disc 25 and the longitudinal axis of the roller 30, by

means of a link 42 pivotally connected at its lower end to the carrier and pivotally connected at its upper end to a, bell-crank arm 43, the bell crank being pivotally supported as at 44 and having its other arm 45 connected by means of a flexible link 45 to the end of a Bourdon tube 41, the relation of the parts as illustrated in Figure 3 being in the position corresponding to the condition of maximum torque. The inner end of the Bourdon tube 41 is secured in a rigid support 43, the latter serving to place the tube 41 into communication with the fluid pressure conduit 50.

Operation The operation of the device illustrated in Figs. 1-3, inclusive is as follows:

As previously described the torque indicator illustrated in Fig. 1, of well-known construction, will develop a iiuid pressure in the conduit 50 which is a measure of the output torque of the engine la. The fluid pressure developed in the conduit 50 will be transmitted to the Bourdon tube 41 in the speed control device illustrated in Fig. 3 and cause the tube to expand and rotate the bell crank arms 43 and 45 in a counterclockwise direction about their pivot point 44 causing the link 42 to be depressed and moving the carrier 28 radially outward from the center of the friction disc 25. At any instant the position of the carrier 28 and the idler rollers 21 with respect to the axis of rotation of the friction disc 25 will be determined by the pressure existing within the conduit 50 and hence will depend upon the existing value of the engine torque, and by suitable design of the Bourdon tube 41 and link 45 and arms 43 and 45, this position can be so determined that it will be equal to, or directly in proportion to, the existing value of the engine torque expressed in foot-pounds. Itis thus possible by means of the shiftable carrier 28 to change the driving speed of the shaft 32 and hence the speed of the tachometer generator from a value equal to, or directly proportional to the speed oi the engine la, to a value equal to the instant engine speed multiplied by the factors K and Pq, as previously discussed above, so that the final speed of the tachometer generator will be numerically equal to, or directly proportional to the actual value of the horsepower output of the engine. The speed indication in terms R. P. M.

' oi the tachometer generator given by the pointers 42 and 43 of the indicator unit 40 may then be directly numerically interpreted in terms of the engine horsepower delivered at any inst-ant. The indicator unit 40 as illustrated in Fig. 1 is of the two-pointer type in which the pointer 42 indicates revolutions in thousands and the pointer 43 indicates revolutions in hundreds of revolutions per minute and makes one complete revolution of the dial while pointer 42 advances one division on the dial. The positions of the pointers are interpreted in the same manner as reading a clock to determine the total number of revolutions per minute and, of course, the reading of the tachometer indicator unit 40 is interpreted in terms of horsepower in exactly the sameman ner.

While the invention has been illustrated as employing a. tachometer of the electric type. it is, of course, to be understood that tachometers of a different type such as a centrifugal tachometer may be employed for the same purpose, and in such a case would be directly driven from the shaft 32 by means of a flexible cable drive, and further it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the particular type of torque measuring means illustrated in the drawing since it is obvious that any torque measuring device which is c apable of positioning an element in accordance with the existing value of engine torque may be employed to position the control rod 42 of thechange speed transmission 20, and further other variable speed transmissions than the friction-driving type may be employed to serve in a similar capacity, it only being necessary that the transmission :be provided with a control element shiftable or rotatable to vary the driving ratio of the transmission.

While a single form of the invention has been illustrated and described it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations and changes may be made therein falling within the scope of the inventionas defined vby the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for indicating the horsepower output of an internal combustion engine, comprising dynamometer means operatively associated with the engine and responsive to the reaction torque exerted by the engine power transmission gearing for generating a fluid pressure proportional to the instantl value of engine torque; a variable speed change mechanism mounted near the engine and consisting of a power-receiving member driven from the engine, a power take-of! member, and a ratio-controlling device which takes the power from the power-receiving member and transmits it to the power take-off member, said device being operable to vary the speed ratio between the power-receiving member and the power take-off member; speed measuring means including a transmitter unit connected to and operated by the power take-oi member, and an indicator unit mounted remotely from the transmitter unit and operatively connected to the latthe output oi' the transmitter unit is a product of the instant values of engine torque and speed.

2. A device for indicating the horsepower output of an internal combustion engine, comprising speed measuring means including an electrical indicator unit calibrated to indicate horsepower and a generator unit electrically connected with the indicator unit to actuate the same in accordance with the output of the generator, a variable speed transmission driven by the engine'and operatively connected with the rotor of the generator to drive the same and including a movable control element positionable to vary the speed ratio between .the engine and the generator rotor, torque-responsive means operatively associated M with the engine to be actuated in response to torque exerted by the engine, and a connection between said torque-responsive means and said control element operated by the action of the torque-responsive means to move the control element to a ratio-controlling position increasing or decreasing the speed oi' the generator rotor in accordance with corresponding changes in engine torque whereby the output oi' the generator is a product of the instant values of engine torque and speed.

RAYMOND W. JONES. 

